H-1B Visa Urban Planner Jobs
Urban Planner roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under SOC code 19-3051, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in urban planning, regional planning, or a closely related field. Municipal agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, and private consulting firms all sponsor H-1B petitions for this occupation, with no lottery exemption but consistent annual demand.
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$85,000.00 - $100,000.00 Annually
Location
9501 - Economic Development
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
10963-HR
Department
9501 - Economic Development
Division
950101 - Economic Development
Opening Date
09/02/2026
Closing Date
10/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Head of Urban Redevelopment Strategy
The Head of Urban Redevelopment Strategy leads the Department of Development’s Asset Redevelopment Team. The Asset Redevelopment Team is dedicated to fostering community-centered neighborhood investment through proactive, equitable, and place-based development strategies. The team works to preserve and enhance Cleveland neighborhoods by increasing access to development opportunities through collaborative partnerships with residents and stakeholders. This role manages the Asset Redevelopment team and provides strategic direction to ensure Cleveland’s publicly owned land becomes a catalyst for equitable neighborhood growth.
The Head of Urban Redevelopment Strategy is responsible for overseeing redevelopment initiatives, setting divisional priorities in partnership with the Deputy Director, and using data and mapping tools to identify proactive investment opportunities. The role also coordinates cross-departmental partnerships, oversees all RFP and other proactive disposition activity, and establishes success metrics that measure progress toward community wealth-building and neighborhood stabilization.
Examples of Duties
Typical duties performed include, but are not limited to oversight of daily operations to ensure alignment with departmental objectives and organizational priorities. Dependent upon service area, may manage and direct staff to maintain efficient workflows, ensuring productivity and high-quality outcomes. Develop, implement, and evaluate operational strategies, procedures, and best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Monitor performance metrics and identify opportunities for process improvement. Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to support departmental initiatives. Perform other job-related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required. Substitution: Two (2) years of any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may substitute for each year of college education lacking. Six (6) years of full-time management experience required. Four (4) years of demonstrated leadership experience. Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to identify process inefficiencies and implement effective solutions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Valid State of Ohio Driver’s License required.
Supplemental Information
Typical Tasks:
- Supervise, mentor, and manage the Asset Redevelopment team.
- Partner with the Deputy Director to design the strategy, development goals, policy improvements, and performance metrics for the division.
- Oversee all RFQ/RFP processes and ensure transparency, timeliness, and alignment with community and citywide priorities.
- Use data, mapping tools, and research to proactively identify redevelopment opportunities and target high-impact investments.
- Coordinate with other departments and divisions in the Integrated Development Cluster to advance redevelopment and site activation.
- Develop and refine best practices for asset disposition, adaptive reuse, and equitable redevelopment.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with residents, community stakeholders, and development partners.
- Monitor progress toward divisional goals and prepare reports, presentations, and updates for leadership.
- Support policy development and process improvements related to land strategy and redevelopment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Real Estate Development, Historic Preservation or a related field.
- 6+ years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning, development, real estate or land strategy, including experience managing staff and projects.
- Experience with ArcGIS or other spatial analysis tools.
- Familiarity with equitable development frameworks and wealth-building strategies.
Skills
- Strong leadership and team management abilities.
- Ability to think strategically and implement complex initiatives.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills, both written and oral.
- Proficiency in analyzing data and mapping tools to inform decision-making.
- Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Commitment to advancing equity, sustainability, and racial justice in redevelopment.
- Ability to build partnerships and trust across diverse stakeholders.
- Open-mindedness, adaptability, and a desire for continuous learning.
The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.
The City of Cleveland makes available a variety of benefit options depending upon your employment status and any applicable union membership. In general, benefit options include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription medical and life insurance. Specific information regarding benefit eligibility will be discussed and reviewed at the time of hire.
Employer
City of Cleveland
Address
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio, 44114
Phone
216-664-2493
Salary
$85,000.00 - $100,000.00 Annually
Location
9501 - Economic Development
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
10963-HR
Department
9501 - Economic Development
Division
950101 - Economic Development
Opening Date
09/02/2026
Closing Date
10/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Head of Urban Redevelopment Strategy
The Head of Urban Redevelopment Strategy leads the Department of Development’s Asset Redevelopment Team. The Asset Redevelopment Team is dedicated to fostering community-centered neighborhood investment through proactive, equitable, and place-based development strategies. The team works to preserve and enhance Cleveland neighborhoods by increasing access to development opportunities through collaborative partnerships with residents and stakeholders. This role manages the Asset Redevelopment team and provides strategic direction to ensure Cleveland’s publicly owned land becomes a catalyst for equitable neighborhood growth.
The Head of Urban Redevelopment Strategy is responsible for overseeing redevelopment initiatives, setting divisional priorities in partnership with the Deputy Director, and using data and mapping tools to identify proactive investment opportunities. The role also coordinates cross-departmental partnerships, oversees all RFP and other proactive disposition activity, and establishes success metrics that measure progress toward community wealth-building and neighborhood stabilization.
Examples of Duties
Typical duties performed include, but are not limited to oversight of daily operations to ensure alignment with departmental objectives and organizational priorities. Dependent upon service area, may manage and direct staff to maintain efficient workflows, ensuring productivity and high-quality outcomes. Develop, implement, and evaluate operational strategies, procedures, and best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Monitor performance metrics and identify opportunities for process improvement. Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to support departmental initiatives. Perform other job-related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required. Substitution: Two (2) years of any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may substitute for each year of college education lacking. Six (6) years of full-time management experience required. Four (4) years of demonstrated leadership experience. Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to identify process inefficiencies and implement effective solutions. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Valid State of Ohio Driver’s License required.
Supplemental Information
Typical Tasks:
- Supervise, mentor, and manage the Asset Redevelopment team.
- Partner with the Deputy Director to design the strategy, development goals, policy improvements, and performance metrics for the division.
- Oversee all RFQ/RFP processes and ensure transparency, timeliness, and alignment with community and citywide priorities.
- Use data, mapping tools, and research to proactively identify redevelopment opportunities and target high-impact investments.
- Coordinate with other departments and divisions in the Integrated Development Cluster to advance redevelopment and site activation.
- Develop and refine best practices for asset disposition, adaptive reuse, and equitable redevelopment.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with residents, community stakeholders, and development partners.
- Monitor progress toward divisional goals and prepare reports, presentations, and updates for leadership.
- Support policy development and process improvements related to land strategy and redevelopment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Real Estate Development, Historic Preservation or a related field.
- 6+ years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning, development, real estate or land strategy, including experience managing staff and projects.
- Experience with ArcGIS or other spatial analysis tools.
- Familiarity with equitable development frameworks and wealth-building strategies.
Skills
- Strong leadership and team management abilities.
- Ability to think strategically and implement complex initiatives.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills, both written and oral.
- Proficiency in analyzing data and mapping tools to inform decision-making.
- Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Commitment to advancing equity, sustainability, and racial justice in redevelopment.
- Ability to build partnerships and trust across diverse stakeholders.
- Open-mindedness, adaptability, and a desire for continuous learning.
The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.
The City of Cleveland makes available a variety of benefit options depending upon your employment status and any applicable union membership. In general, benefit options include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription medical and life insurance. Specific information regarding benefit eligibility will be discussed and reviewed at the time of hire.
Employer
City of Cleveland
Address
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio, 44114
Phone
216-664-2493
See all H-1B Visa Urban Planner Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an Urban Planner
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation standards
Urban planning roles require a directly related degree to clear the H-1B specialty occupation threshold. A degree in geography or public policy may qualify, but expect USCIS to scrutinize the connection. Get a credential evaluation before applying.
Target MPOs and regional planning agencies
Metropolitan planning organizations and regional councils are cap-exempt if affiliated with a qualifying nonprofit or government entity, meaning your petition skips the lottery entirely. Confirm cap-exempt status with the employer before accepting an offer.
Search LCA filings for urban planning roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified DOL Labor Condition Application filings in urban planning occupations, so you're targeting organizations with a documented H-1B sponsorship record rather than cold-applying to unknowns.
Check prevailing wage levels before negotiating
Your offer must meet the DOL prevailing wage for your location and experience level. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wages for SOC code 19-3051 in your target metro before salary discussions begin.
Ask about AICP certification in the offer stage
Some employers list AICP certification as a requirement on job postings but waive it for H-1B candidates in exchange for a timeline commitment. Clarify this in writing before the I-129 is filed, since USCIS may request evidence of professional credentials.
Account for LCA certification timing in your start date
Your employer must get the LCA certified by DOL before USCIS can adjudicate the I-129 petition. DOL typically certifies within seven business days, but build at least two weeks of buffer into your proposed start date to avoid gaps.
H-1B Visa Urban Planner: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Urban Planner role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Urban planning qualifies as a specialty occupation because the job normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in urban planning, regional planning, or a directly related field. USCIS evaluates whether your specific role and degree field are aligned, so roles involving GIS analysis, zoning review, or comprehensive planning all typically clear this bar without significant challenge.
Do government agencies sponsor H-1B visas for Urban Planners?
Many do, but the process differs from private sector employers. Federal agencies generally don't use H-1B, but state and local government agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, and public transit authorities regularly sponsor H-1B petitions. Some of these entities qualify as cap-exempt, which means your petition bypasses the annual lottery. Confirm cap-exempt status directly with the hiring agency before assuming lottery avoidance.
How do I find Urban Planner employers who sponsor H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate filters Urban Planner job listings by employers with verified H-1B Labor Condition Application filing history, so you can target organizations that have already navigated the sponsorship process rather than guessing from job postings. Consulting firms, transit agencies, and planning departments at larger municipalities are the most active sponsors in this occupation.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new Urban Planner employer mid-status?
Yes. H-1B portability under AC21 lets you start working for a new employer as soon as the transfer petition is filed, not after approval, provided your current H-1B has been approved for at least 180 days. The new employer must file a new I-129 and a new LCA reflecting the wages and duties at the new organization before your first day.
What documentation does an Urban Planner need for an H-1B petition?
Your employer will need your academic transcripts, a degree certificate or credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the U.S., and documentation connecting your specific degree field to the planning role. If your degree is in a adjacent field like geography or public administration, prepare an advisory opinion or letter from a professional association explaining the nexus. USCIS requests these in Requests for Evidence more often for borderline field matches.